So today was the dreadful task to drop the transmission pan, transmission oil was on the very dark side and smelled somewhat stronger than the new transmission oil. The magnet on the pan as you can see seemed to be pretty much normal, I did find some metal shavings but very little no big chunks just very small ones. As I looked at the oil filter it did not look damaged and was intact but as you can see in the picture the inside doesn't look at all like the new one considering its been inside the tranny and been working for a while but would like to know from all you out there does it look normal for its use? Frango100 in your previous post you mentioned something about the "Pressure Regulating Solenoid" where is that solenoid at? when I went to go buy the filters and oil the parts guy at the dealer said it did not have one, can he be wrong? Greatly appreciate the help guys......

To me - it looks like that filter needs changed. I dont have much knowledge on the solenoid - hafta rely on the other guy on here for that. Something to watch out for: after i dropped my pan, i would get a sporadic stalling coming to a stop, just after i first started my Jeep. I had my dealer do a tranny flush and it fixed it. I attribute it to an air bubble in there somewhere. Keep us posted.

I don't know your parts guy, but at least he is wrong. The 5-45RFE is a fully electronic transmission which has a pressure regulating solenoid on the solenoid block on top of the valve body. The TCM uses a feedback signal from the line pressure sensor (on the right aft side on the tranny casing) to send control signals to the pressure regulator solenoid and in this way can vary the line pressure depending on which gear it is in. Did you check the old oval inlet filter at the seam between plastic and metal? The filter looks dirty, which could come from clutch material.
Did you install the oval inlet filter seal first in the pump inlet, before installing the filter itself? This is very important, because if you try to install the filter with the seal already on it, it most probably will not seat properly and the filter can come loose and the pump will suck air.
The colour of the fluid itself is not always an indication of the fluid state, but when it has a burnt smell, then it is an indication of slipping clutch(es). This can be due to a too low line pressure, but also due to a worn clutch pack.

Frank thank you much, since I have not put the pan back on do you suggest I replace that solenoid?. I did call a dealer that is a bit out of my way but ended up getting a part # 52119435-AA which is from what I'm being told a solenoid pack that is located in the valve body, should I change it the tranny pan is already off and what else can I loose but the $280 if that doesn't work then off to the shop I guess.

If you already bought the solenoid pack, then i would say yes, put it in. I would also suggest to change the line pressure sensor, eventhough that could wait until later, since it sits outside on the trans housing.
The valve body is mounted with 6 bolts (if i remember well). You just disconnect the large connector on the left side of the trans and after removing the 6 bolts the complete valve body/solenoid pack assy comes down. You will have to hold it firmly and don' t let it fall, because it can be damaged easily. Now you have to split the solenoid pack from the valve body. 15 screws or so and it is loose. When installing the new solenoid block, fasten first the two screws marked with a triangle.
When putting back the complete assy in the trans, take care that the shift lever fork enters in the shift lever pawl. One member here broke the pawl when he fastened the valve body bolts . New pawl can only be installed with the trans on a bench and some gears removed.
I was just looking at the oval filter from the upper side. Seems to have some dirt particles at the seem and in the round holes. Did you check what it is?

Thank you all for your help, after almost 3 weeks I finally fix my tranny its was I can say hard to do but I took the chance and rebuild my own transmission. All is well and driving in perfect order....Thank you all for the information you guys provided......

This may sound weird, but I was experiencing the same 3rd gear limp mode and check engine codes about a month ago. Fluids were good so I was going to take it in, but I decided to test the battery first. The battery ended up testing bad so I replaced it. It hasn't happened since. But my 05 only has 70,000 on it.